Prevailing Wage – Senate Labor Committee Approves Bill Requiring Participation in Registered Apprenticeship Programs

In a highly-anticipated decision involving two sets of consolidated contest proceedings, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission has affirmed a May 2011 ALJ order that upheld a broad interpretation of MSHA’s authority to compel a mine operator to produce documents and information during an MSHA inspection. The case, Big Ridge, Inc. v. Secretary of Labor (FMSHRC May 24, 2012), represents the current front line in an ongoing and contentious battle between regulators and operators regarding MSHA’s authority to demand documents from mine operators that are not specifically mandated in the law or regulations.

Solange Charas, Ph.D. is chief executive officer (CEO) of Charas Consulting, Inc. In her career, she has served as a chief human resources officer (CHRO) and corporate board director, her research has been published in Harvard Business Review and The Corporate Board magazine, and she has appeared on Bloomberg Business.

On July 19, 2017, the Supreme Court of the United States released the October 2017 term’s calendar for oral arguments, including the date it will hear oral argument in the three consolidated class action waiver cases that are currently before the Court.